Catholic Church in Ireland
 Catholic Church in Ireland |
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| Eaglais Chaitliceach na hÉireann | |
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| Type | National polity |
| Orientation | Catholic Church |
| Governance | Episcopal |
| Pope | Pope Francis |
| Primate of All Ireland | Eamon Martin |
| Apostolic Nuncio | vacant |
| Region | Island of Ireland |
| Language | English, Irish, Latin |
| Headquarters | Ara Coeli, Armagh, Northern Ireland |
| Founder | St. Patrick, by tradition. |
| Origin | Claims continuity with Gaelic Christianity c. 430. Roman diocesan structure introduced c. 1111 at Synod of Ráth Breasail. |
| Members | 4,599,368 (2011) |
| Official website | Irish Bishops' Conference |
The Catholic Church in Ireland (Irish: Eaglais Chaitliceach na hÉireann) is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Pope. With 3.7 million members, it is the most populous Christian denomination in Ireland, comprising 78.3% of the population. The Primate of All Ireland is the Archishop of Armagh and the Church ministers to Catholics on an All-Island basis; covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference is a consultative body for ordinaries in Ireland.
Christianity has existed in Ireland since the 5th century and arrived from Roman Britain (most famously associated with St. Patrick), forming what is today known as Gaelic Christianity. It gradually gained ground and replaced the old pagan traditions. The Catholic Church in Ireland cites its origin to this period and considers Palladius as the first bishop sent to the Gaels by Pope Celestine I. However, during the 12th century a stricter uniformity in the Western Church was enforced, with the diocesan structure introduced with the Synod of Ráth Breasail in 1111 and culminating with the Gregorian Reform which coincided with the Norman invasion of Ireland.
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